NAVASOTA, Texas (KBTX) – A new culinary destination has opened its doors in downtown Navasota, transforming the former Zeitman’s Deli into Damiano’s Cucina Italiana. It’s an establishment dedicated to authentic Italian cuisine.
Owner Blake Zeitman aims to provide a luxurious dining experience at an everyday price. It offers Italian-American dishes alongside traditional Italian cuisine. The restaurant is also BYOB.
KBTX visited Damiano’s Cucina Italiana to explore the menu and learn some culinary secrets from Zeitman himself.
During one demonstration, Zeitman prepared a classic pasta dish and a Caesar salad which started with an in-house Caesar dressing, extra virgin olive oil, fresh chopped romaine and was topped with 18-month Parmigiano Reggiano.
For the main course, he prepared a bolognese sauce with penne pasta, emphasizing the addition of pasta water for a thicker consistency. The dish was finished with fresh Parmigiano Reggiano.
The former Zeitman’s Deli has been transformed into Damiano’s Cucina Italiana, an establishment dedicated to authentic Italian cuisine.
In another segment, Zeitman demonstrated how to create an affogato, a traditional Italian dessert.
For the chocolate lovers out there, he prepared a chocolate affogato, using dark chocolate sauce as a base for the gelato.
He explained that gelato contains less fat and more air than traditional American ice cream, making it lighter.
Instead of a professional espresso machine, Zeitman used a moka pot, a common household item, to brew the espresso. The dessert was then topped with dark chocolate and whipped cream.
Damiano’s Cucina Italiana is located just off Highway 105 in Navasota. The restaurant is open for business Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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Dining and Cooking